Corpus of Electronic Texts Edition

Annála Connacht (Author: [unknown])

Annal 1540

1540.1

1540 First of January, the age of the Lord one thousand five hundred and two score years.

1540.2

The two sons of Walter son of Richard Burke were killed; Richard and Thomas.

1540.3

The monastery of Clonroad was given to the Poor Brothers de Observantia this year, at the command of O Briain and the nobles of Thomond, and with the permission and sanction of the Superiors of both the Orders of St. Francis.

1540.4

The English were banishing the remnant of the Orders throughout Ireland; and particularly they destroyed the monastery of Monaghan and beheaded the Guardian and some more of the brothers.

1540.5

Brian, in spite of those who were making war on him on all sides, namely Moylurg, both [lordships of] Muinter Eolais and O Raigillig; his own son Conn with a large party of the men of Brefne was also fighting against him. But, situated thus, he built the castle very quickly and committed great destruction in Moylurg in this war.

1540.6

O Domnaill encamped round the crannog of Loch Veagh at the beginning of summer, against the sons of [the late] O Domnaill, Donnchad and Rugraide, and made great exertions to overcome them; yet in the end the place was not won from them.

1540.7

The two sons of O Baigill, Niall and Conchobar, were killed in fighting with each other this year. Niall went to seek out Conchobar at Loughros and lay in wait for him by night in the church of St. Senchan; and next day, when Conchobar was passing through the country on his own occasions, Niall and his party sallied out of the church after him. On seeing them approach, Conchobar fled northwards across the strand of Loughros and his followers left him. Niall pursued him very eagerly, ahead of his companions, and caught up with him in spite of his efforts to escape. Conchobar awaited his attack with great courage and they struck at each other without respite or pause. Niall was first killed at that place and Conchobar was wounded when Niall's men came up and killed him. And the falling of these two by each other's hands was not the death of cowards, for there had not lived for a long time before that any two youths of their family who were more lamented than these sons of O Baigill.

1540.8

The sons of Uilliam son of Bishop O Gallchobair, Aed Gruamda and Uilliam Oc, were killed by O Baigill's sons, Domnall and Toirrdelbach, in retaliation for the killing of their father.

1540.9

O Domnaill, that is Magnus, made an expedition into Connacht this year, going into Moylurg and Clanconway and ruining and burning both completely, plundering the Curlieus, and returning safely with victory and triumph.

1540.10

He made another hosting the same year, his army including O Neill's son, that is Niall son of Art Oc, Tanist of Tir Eogain, and the son of Mac Domnaill of Scotland, namely Colla son of Alusdrann, and many Scots. They went first into Fermanagh

and, having wrought much destruction therein, received pledges for the satisfaction of their demands. After this they passed through O Ruairc's Brefne and proceeded to the Curlieus, where they remained in camp until O Domnaill had cut through the Belach Buide and every other pass which he thought might hinder him. After this the Clann Mailruanaid came to him and gave hostages for the fulfilment of whatever conditions he should impose. O Domnaill returned safely from this hosting.

1540.11

The sons of [the late] O Domnaill, Donnchad Cairbrech and Sean Luirg, were at war with O Domnaill. They held the crannog of Loch Veagh and from it were greatly troubling the country. O Domnaill captured them both, and he captured Eicnechan son of [the late] O Domnaill in Conwall; Sean he hanged, and Eicnechan and Donnchad he thrust into captivity, in misery and evil plight; and he destroyed the crannog of Loch Veagh.

1540.12

O Dochartaig, that is Geralt son of Domnall, a noble and bountiful man, died after having spent his life until the end in the practice of humanity and hospitality.

1540.13

Domnall son of Niall O Baigill was proclaimed O Baigill.

1540.14

The English Justiciar that was in Ireland went to England at the summons of the King of England, having well-nigh destroyed the Orders, clergy and miraculous relics of all Ireland and performed ill deeds which it would take long to tell of; and Hanndalin Salasdar, the other Justiciar, came to Ireland to take his place.

1540.15

The King of Scotland, convoked the nobles of the Scottish race, and they came to the harbour and went aboard the vessel in which the King was and were all by him made prisoners, both Gall and Gael. The Galls were released after a while, but the King kept James, the son of Mac Domnaill, in custody, as well as such of his family and of his followers as he found to be serviceable, and afterwards he banished all of them who were at liberty.

1540.16

Sean son of Conn O Domnaill was killed by the sons of Murchad Mac Suibne na Tuath this year.